The Performance Scrutiny Committee - People of Newport Council discussed the challenges and strategies related to recruitment and retention within Social Services, with a particular focus on the impact of vacancies, the use of agency staff, and collaborative efforts with other local authorities. The Committee made several recommendations, including the continuation of efforts to encourage a gender-balanced workforce and engagement with schools to promote social care as a career.

Recruitment and Retention Report

Impact of Vacancies

The Strategic Director for Social Services, Sally Ann Jenkins, presented the recruitment and retention report. The Committee inquired about the percentage of vacant posts and their impact on service provision. Jenkins reported an annual turnover of 11.7% and noted that vacancies were particularly challenging in residential care, the Child Protection Team, and the Youth Service. The largest impact was increased pressure on existing staff.

Use of Agency Staff

The Committee expressed concerns about the reliance on agency staff and asked about alternatives. Jenkins explained that while the aim was to ensure a permanent workforce, agency staff were primarily used in residential care. Efforts were being made to build a regional bank of relief staff for children’s residential care, although this was challenging. She highlighted that work had been done to manage agency payments across Welsh local authorities to disincentivise staff from leaving for agency work.

Collaboration with NHS and Other Authorities

The Committee asked about collaboration with the NHS regarding the bank system. Jenkins stated that a more tailored system was required and that they were not currently working with the NHS on this. However, there was ongoing collaboration with other local authorities, particularly through the Home First initiative, which allows staff to work across neighbouring authorities during weekends.

Employee Benefits and Training

The Committee inquired about maternity pay and internal training. Luke Butcher, Senior HR & OD Business Partner, noted that maternity pay was comparable to other local authorities and that employee benefits would be reviewed with the launch of the People Plan. Jenkins added that Newport promoted benefits such as training and pensions to attract and retain staff.

Sickness Levels and Wellbeing

The Committee felt the report needed more comparative data on sickness levels. Jenkins clarified that emotional illness constituted 40% of total sickness and noted significant improvements in Children’s Services. She also mentioned that hybrid working was valued by staff and helped maintain a balance between work and personal life.

Impact of Brexit and Gender Imbalance

The Committee raised concerns about the impact of Brexit on staffing and recruitment. Jenkins acknowledged this as a national issue across adult social care. The Committee also discussed the gender imbalance in social care. Jenkins noted that while this was a wider issue, efforts were being made to ensure male staff voices were heard and to promote social work as a rewarding career.

Advertising and Succession Planning

The Committee was pleased with efforts to advertise social work roles and asked about succession planning. Jenkins highlighted national campaigns with We Care Wales and collaboration with colleges. She noted a significant decrease in recruitment due to fewer people entering training nationally. The Committee recommended continued engagement with schools to promote social care as a career.

Recommendations

The Committee made several recommendations, including:

• Requesting the current number of vacancies within Social Services.
• Reviewing the report in one year with benchmarking data.
• Continuing efforts to encourage a gender-balanced workforce.
• Engaging with schools to promote social care as a career.
• Continuing work with other local authorities towards a relief pool of workers.

Scrutiny Adviser Reports

Forward Work Programme Update

The Scrutiny Adviser informed the Committee that this was the final meeting of the year, with the next meeting scheduled for 11 June 2024. The Draft Forward Work Programme was discussed.

Actions Arising

The Scrutiny Adviser noted that there were a few outstanding items that would be carried into the next year.

Information Reports

The Scrutiny Adviser mentioned that a few information reports had been circulated, but no comments were received from the Committee.

The meeting recording can be watched here.